Gary Edwin Smith

Funeral services for Gary Edwin Smith will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Santee Methodist Church in Bassfield with interment following in the Santee Methodist Cemetery. Brother Byron Speights will officiate, assisted by Brother Neal Breeland. Mr. Smith, age 74, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 9:00 am until the hour of service at 11:00 am at Santee Methodist Church.

Gary will be carried to his final rest by those honored to serve as pallbearers, including Byron Speights, Kenny Smith, Glen Graves, Ken Carraway, Hunter Berry, and Tanner Berry.

Gary was born on June 24, 1951, in Columbia, MS, to Oscar and Dorothy Jean Enlow Smith. A member of Santee Methodist Church, he was well known in the Bassfield community as the dependable heat and A/C man. Gary worked hard, loved the outdoors, enjoyed hunting, fishing, and growing watermelons. However, his greatest passion was his family, whom he loved deeply.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Dorothy Smith, and his sister, Sandy Speights.

His memory will forever be cherished by his wife of 42 years, Shirley Smith; his three daughters, Jennifer Berry (BJ), Julie Dickens (Darren), and Dedra Fortenberry (Eric); his sister, Linda Fortenberry; 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandson. His family also looks forward to the arrival of his great-granddaughter.

Gary will be remembered for his quiet strength and kindness. His presence in his family and in the Bassfield community will be deeply missed.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the nurses and staff of Columbia Dialysis for their compassionate care over the past several years while Gary received dialysis. The staff said they will fondly remember him and his Skittles.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com